RA and HFTFeds, thanks for the avice. My son is shooting a bow set at forty pounds which he handles with ease. He is ten years old and has been shooting a bow since he was three. He has accompanied me into the woods since before he could walk. We practice every night we do not hunt and when we hunt, we first shoot one arrow at a target I keep in the truck. I am a fanatic about shooting even once the season has started. I have been bow hunting since age 14 and have some unorthodox but effective practice techniques that my son thinks are cool. I never aim at previous arrows but pick a new spot on a new target. I have two 3-d deer, a 3-d coyote and a 3-d racoon staked out in my yard. (my wife hates the lawn ornaments!) With our in-season practice, we shoot four arrows per group, one at each target. All from an elevated deck that is the same height as our ladder stand. I could go on and on. When we were practicing form, I had him shoot with his eyes closed at a target butt five yards away to focus on what a shot feels like. We shot a candle light in the dark to learn to pick a spot. We compete against each other at my club by selecting tiny targets on various animals, target butts, bales, and such. To practice shots when our heart is pounding so loud we could swear the deer can hear it, we do sprints around the yard, pick up the bows and shoot. He loves all of this and we get to have so much fun while practicing. All that said, I know that beyond a doubt, he can handle a bow. Better than many that I have helped get into archery.

I am just looking for any advice on what to say when he misses. I know we all do. I' ve told him my old stories and he comes out of his " funk" quickly. He can' t wait to go next time and try again. Every one of us goes through predictable stages as a hunter. He is at the " get a shot stage." I truly believe he is happy to get a shot. He has a pre-shot routine that we have practiced since June. Draw, anchor, line up, deep breath out, tap the release, hold on target. He didn' t do any of this on the furry targets in the woods................Sound familiar?

I can remember shots that I don' t know what I did. I know what he is feeling because I have lived it. I just want to say the right thing. I have prayed for this time together in the woods since he was born. Of all my dreams that I have ever had, this one is very important and it is coming true. We will share the outdoors forever. I don' t hesitate to tell him this when he shoots and misses and even on nights when he doesn' t see a deer.

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greg